I'm shooting a 50# self bow(not sure of actual speed) and my cedar shafts are proving to weak in spine for my 160 grain heads. I can't afford new shafts but they tune nice with 125 grain heads. With 125 gr heads my arrow weight is only about 411 grains without feathers. Will this setup have enough kinetic energy for deer?

Lee, most self bow shooters don't comsider the kinetic energy formulas.
I do like a heavier arrow for the momentum .
In your case it will be on the light side but if flying straight,should do well.
8 to 10 grns per pound is recommended with 10 being better.
I'm guessing the feathers,will,add 10 grns.
Once again I'll say having the,arrow flying very straight is the key.

That's pretty light.  Personally, I'd figure something else out.  Carefully selected 3/8" dowels can be spined to your bow.  Hand taper them, leave them full length and shoot heavy heads.

IF you have enough length on your shafts to cut 1/2 to 1 inch, will probably stiffen spine enough for the 160's. you'll only lose about 8 to 10 grains there, but will gain 35 from point and another 9 or 10 from fletching and glue getting you around 445-450 depending on the size of fletch you install...still some what light but it will do the job.  JMO

Those will do fine for whitetails. I personally like a heavier arrow but go with whatever works for you.

That is very light for a POC shaft-I wonder if your '411' number is wrong?  It suggests your shaft was around 270 gns prior to nock and/or finishing in any way. I guess it is possible but I have never had shafts that light!
In any event 411 is very light especially from a selfbow.

Again, the weight can't be right for POC shafts. That should be at least 450 or more. OR: you have a very short drawlenght and you have shortened your shafts seriously.
What length do you draw? And at what  drawlenght does the bow deliver 5o lbs?

I wouldn't let you shoot me in the ribs with it!

If I had to use your set up or spend 100. dollars to make it the way you want it an I didnot have the money I would useum in a heart beat.it is a little light but you are not that far out of the ball park.save some cash an next year make um the way you want them.an when you go hunting this year dont be sitting in your stand worring about them not being enough they will work fine.good luck

QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
That is very light for a POC shaft-I wonder if your '411' number is wrong?  It suggests your shaft was around 270 gns prior to nock and/or finishing in any way. I guess it is possible but I have never had shafts that light!
In any event 411 is very light especially from a selfbow.

Agree with Bjorn, but to answer your question yes 411gr from a 50# will definitely work.

Use 5.5" high back feathers!  You'll be surprised what they will correct for you! And just pop on your 160's and be done!
  If you are going after deer, I would not worry much about this.

ok thanks guys! you guys could be right my scale is pretty cheap. I draw about twenty seven inches